TMJ Treatment

Tysons West Orthodontics & Children's Dentistry

Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry located in Vienna, VA

As many as 10 million Americans suffer from disorders of their temporomandibular joint (TMJ). If you have a TMJ disorder, there’s a good chance you could be dealing with neck pain, jaw pain, headaches, and other symptoms. Ibrahim Y. Alhussain, DMD, and Reem I. Alhussain, DDS, at Tysons West Orthodontics & Children's Dentistry in Vienna, Virginia, can customize a TMJ treatment plan to relieve you of your symptoms. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone today.

TMJ Treatment

What is TMJ?

Disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can result from factors such as genetics, arthritis or a jaw injury. The joint, which acts like a sliding hinge, connects your jawbone to your skull. Dysfunction can lead to pain and discomfort when you talk, chew or yawn.

What are the symptoms of TMJ?

TMJ disorders start with jaw pain in most cases, but there are a number of other possible symptoms, too. These symptoms include:

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears

Ear stuffiness

Ear pain

Chronic headaches

Neck pain

Clicking noises when you move your jaw

Muscle spasms in your jaw

Change in your teeth alignment

Locked jaw

If you're having symptoms of TMJ, talk to your dentist at Tysons West Orthodontics & Children's Dentistry so you can get the diagnosis and treatment you need.

Is jaw pain always TMJ?

Not always. It's possible that you have habits that are contributing to your jaw pain. If you have jaw pain but don't have a TMJ disorder, your dentist may recommend changes, such as:

Avoiding gum chewing

Avoiding teeth clenching

Avoiding teeth grinding

Chewing your food evenly using both sides of the mouth

Using proper posture

Avoiding resting your chin on your hand

If your jaw pain is the result of TMJ, other treatments may also be an option.

What is the treatment for TMJ disorders?

Treatment for TMJ will vary from patient to patient, but some of the options include:

Night guard

A night guard is a bite guard that you wear only when you sleep. It's mainly used to prevent you from grinding your teeth.

Bite guard

You wear a bite guard, sometimes called a bite plate, during the day and night in most cases. The bite guard is an acrylic resin shell that's custom-fitted to your teeth. It helps keep your teeth in the least-damaging position, and it also prevents you from grinding your teeth.

Mandibular repositioning splint

A mandibular repositioning splint is a more aggressive TMJ treatment that's designed to correct the alignment of your jaws. This splint is usually only used at night, and it holds your jaw in place to prevent clicking and other TMJ problems.

Your dentist will recommend a TMJ treatment plan based on your specific symptoms and issues.

To treat your TMJ disorder, schedule an appointment with Tysons West Orthodontics & Children's Dentistry online or over the phone today.